Category Archives: Recruiting

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Jenna Novelli, a Pierce College volleyball player by way of Paraclete High in Lancaster, has accepted a scholarship to Div. II Truman College, according to a story in the Antelope Valley press.– gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Austin Shanks, a running back/return specialist from Crespi High of Encino who is perhaps the San Fernando Valley’s fastest football player, could soon commit to Division I-AA Northern Arizona, according to Crespi coach Jeremiah Ross.

“I think he’ll end up committing there. He has taken a visit, and I think he feels most comfortable there,” Ross said. “There are some DI schools interested, too, like San Jose State and Colorado, but Northern Arizona wants him in an every-down role. He’ll have to earn out, but I think at Northern Arizona he can be on the field all the time It’s his No. 1 choice right now.”

Word out of Birmingham High is that Fresno State is taking a very long look at quarterback Exavier Johnson … as an outside linebacker.

Johnson has a cannon for an arm, and is an interesting prospect at quarterback. But he’s also really athletic, physical, quick and strong. All good qualities for an outside linebacker.

From what I’ve heard, the decision might be up to Ex at first. That he’ll be given a shot to play quarterback, but if it doesn’t work out, or, he feels his future is better at linebacker, he’ll slide over to the other side of the ball very quickly.

I’ll be seeing Exavier and the rest of the team on Friday, so check back then for an update.

Just finished up with Birmingham DE Malik Jackson and he’s super excited about committing to USC.

The situation was pretty simple. If USC offered him a scholarship during his official visit this weekend, he was going to commit.

The Trojans did just that, and Jackson, one half of Birmingham’s twin terrors on the defensive line, along with his brother Marquis, committed on the spot.

“I pretty much went in with the mindset that I wanted to go there and if they offered, I was going to go,” said Jackson, who de-committed from Fresno State on Tuesday night. “If it was anybody else but USC, I’d probably still be going to Fresno State. But I’ve been wanting to go to USC for a while.”

Jackson is 6-foot-5 and 225-pounds. He’s physical, quick and has a tremendous upside. He went largely unheralded until this season, because of academic issues and because he only participated in a handful of recruiting combines.

This season, he led Birmingham with 14.5 sacks and 103 tackles in 14 games. He shared the Daily News Defensive Player of the Year award with his brother. Also Tuesday, Malik Jackson was honored on the CalHiSports All-State team.

His brother Marquis initially gave a verbal commitment to Fresno State, but is still trying to resolve some academic issues. If he’s able to do that, Marquis is planning to stick with the Bulldogs.

“It had to happen sometime,” Malik said of the potential separation with his twin. “If it was going to happen eventually, the sooner the better I guess.”

Malik said that he initially feared the family reaction, but his mother, Robin Jackson, counseled him that he should make the decision himself, and do what felt right to him.

“I told him it had to be his decision, no matter what,” Robin Jackson said. “I didn’t want him to look back in 20 years and felt like he did it for me, or anyone else.”

Just got word from a very good Birmingham source that DE Malik Jackson has committed to USC.

Malik, who was the Daily News co-defensive player of the year along with his twin brother Marquis, got an offer from USC this weekend when he visited the school and has given the Trojans a verbal commitment. Malik originally verballed to Fresno State, but has already called the Bulldogs to let them know he’ll be playing his college ball for USC, according to the source. He came to school today, decked out in full USC garb.

I’ll be talking to Malik around 7 p.m. tonight, so check back later for the update.

The Ventura County Football Coaches Association will again sponsor a luncheon to honor high school football players in the county who will sign National Letters of Intents. The ceremoney/lunch is Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. at the Clarion Palm Garden Hotel at 495 N. Ventu Park Road in Thousand Oaks.

Looks like Milton Knox might be headed to Notre Dame, or at least he’s taking an official visit to South Bend Feburary 3rd – or three days before official signing day. Knox is a soft commit to UCLA, but is also considering Florida. Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks QB Dayne Crist and LB Anthony McDonald and Crespi of Encino TE Joe Fauria are all committed to Notre Dame, and have been putting a hard sell on Knox to join them.

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